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Saturday, 28 February 2015

Today, we have a special guest on the blog! May we have a nice warm applause for TF Walsh the author of the new book 'Cloaked in Fur'! She was so sweet to have an interview with me. I simply adore interviews, I really should do more.

Tell me a little about yourself.

Thanks for having me on your blog today.

Well, I was born in Romania and moved to Australia with my family at the age of eight. My dad has always loved writing and is quite well known in Romania, so I guess from an early age I started to show interest in writing. Sure, they were only poems or lyrics, but it was a start☺ It was only when I finished university that I considered trying to write stories. Fast forward many years later, when I was home sick from work that I attacked my first novel, and no looking back from there. Aside from writing, I’m a huge baking fan with snickerdoodles being my all time favorite cookies. I live with hubby and two gorgeous kitties.

Tell me about your book?

Cloaked in Fur is book one in the Wulfkin Legacy series. Here’s a little blurb:
As a moonwulf, Daciana never expected to fall in love with a human. Hell, she never imagined that she’d abandon her pack, endanger everyone around her, and break the worst rule possible. But she did.
A rogue werewolf is killing Daciana’s friends, and she sets on capturing the creature. She’ll do whatever it takes to stop the beast. The police and her boyfriend, Inspector Connell Lonescu, are starting to question her involvement in the murders, which is endangering the pack’s secret existence. But when the pack alpha kidnaps Connell, revealing the awful truth about the creature and its connection to the pack, Daciana must choose between saving the man she loves and saving her pack family from certain death.

What inspired you to write this book?

I grew up listening to bedtime Romanian stories that could only be compared to the Brothers Grimm tales, and ever since then folklore and mythology has fascinated me. These influences have trickled into my stories, and in particular Cloaked in Fur, which is based in Transylvania—a place seeped in legends. Now, when it comes to love, I’m a sucker for stories about two people from different worlds falling madly in love and fighting against the odds to stay together. This is the story I wanted to tell in Cloaked in Fur; showing how far someone was willing to go to hold onto true love.

Why werewolves?

I grew up watching horror stories, in particular, monster ones. My favorites were the vampire and werewolf stories. Because I wanted to base my book in Romania, I wanted to show the country had legends beyond Dracula, so I went with my next favorite topic. Plus, what I love about werewolves is their hidden nature. Anyone could be a werewolf hiding in his or her human guise. Whether a person's lycanthropy is beyond their control, or whether they maintain their control, when they change, they are equally frightening. Traditionally stories of werewolves were used to inspire fear, but they have since been romanticized in popular culture. In Cloaked in Fur, I wanted to use both of these sides of the werewolf.

What inspired such unique names such as Daciana or Connell?

I did a lot of research for my character names as I wanted them to fit both their location, but also have a deeper meaning. Daciana is derived from the Roman Dacia – a name for the region that is today Moldova in Romania. Stories say the Dacians were originally known as daoi, which means wolf.
Connell is from England, and his name just caught my interest… can’t really explain it, but it felt right for my character.

What’s next for all your fans? Maybe a sequel? ;)

The sequel, Cloaked in Secrecy, is set to come out very soon. I’m so excited to be telling Enre’s story.
Here’s a teaser: What better way for a pack of wulfkin shifters to hide themselves from the world than right before their eyes performing in a circus.

Thank you so much TF for joining us! I am excited to see what you have in store for us next!

So this week was..let's just call it spring break. No workout classes since I take them via a "school". Work was closed so I had the option of working at the place that was open or vacay, went the middle road with vacay and work so no biking (since that place is 2 min from my house).

..............................DNF time

The romance reader's book club:
3rd time's the charm..or not. I could not get into it. DNF

Mozart's blood:
Just no, dnf.

Blue Moon:
I want to prove to myself that I can still read pnr...but I can't
DNF

Callum:
It could have been good, but some things annoyed me, I am also over pnr. DNF

Heart of the hunter:
No. Moving on. DNF

A Hidden fire:
DNF. Bored and moved on.

White lion's lady:
It started off decent. Then turned silly. Dnf

Hunter's moon:
I was reading, came to this sentence and was all NO!

Dark Moon:
I be cursed. Can not read pnr. But at least I am making a dent in my tbr pile.

Thursday, 26 February 2015

Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.

Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London - but no one speaks of that now.

Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'.

But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive — trickier than they hoped.

My thoughts:

Now this was an interesting world. There are 4 worlds and people can travel between them...well they could, now only a few can.

All those worlds are different from each other but there is one fixed thing. 4 cities, all named London, all in the same place. Though the country they are in change; smaller, bigger, called other things. But London on the Thames is there and a capital.

The main character, Kell can travel between worlds because of what he is. He has named the worlds too. They all have their faults and their good points. I could not say which London I'd like the best. Maybe red, or ours (even if ours was the boring magicless one).

So yes the world was obviously great. I really liked it and I would love to explore it more, but then more books are coming so yay for that.

I liked Kell too, the girl he meets...eh, I mean yes she was nice to read about just, she was not nice ;)

I just checked on the next book, 2016, that is ages away! Sad panda.

I realised I have said nothing about the actual story..right, so he gets in trouble, he helps a girl, let the adventure begin.

Conclusion:

Interesting world, interesting characters, a good adventure. I look forward to more of this world.

Wednesday, 25 February 2015

Another day. Another funeral. Another ghost. Another average day in the life of young funeral home director, Emma Lee Raines. After a perilous run-in with a plastic Santa Claus, Emma Lee, co-owner of Eternal Slumber Funeral Home in Sleepy Hollow, Kentucky, sees the ghost of town gossip Ruthie Sue Payne, who is proving to be a real pain, more so in death than while living. Recently deceased, Ruthie reveals to Emma Lee that her demise wasn't caused by accidentally falling down the steps at the Sleepy Hollow Inn as everyone believes—she was pushed...murdered. In order for the ghost to cross over—and for Emma Lee to be rid of Ruthie for good—she must find a desperate killer...or risk being haunted forever.

My thoughts:

Emma runs a funeral home with her perfect sister. And Emma is not so perfect. A plastic Santa fell on her and now she can see dead people. Everyone in town whispers about her and are changing funeral homes. So it's not a good day to be her. I did feel like I would have wanted to see the whole santa thing, maybe a pre novella? But we were told so I am fine with it. Cos I do not like pre novellas anyway.

Right the dead people thing then. It's just one dead person. One annoying arch enemy of her gran, and this annoying person tells Emma it was murder! What to do? Pretend she is not there or solve the murder and get rid of her? She goes for the investigating stuff and stumbles upon a few things. I am not gonna say she is a perfect detective, no, she is lucky but does not always get things right. But that is just fun to read about.

I do wonder what her's sisters issue is though, such a stick in the mud.

There is also a blossoming love interest with the town sheriff, as her path does cross with him a few times. I think they can be good for each other. I liked him.

And more drama is to come. She is still "crazy" according to townies, so how will they run their business? More ghosts are coming too. I guess I will just have to read book 2 to find out :)

Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Harry Norcliffe never wanted to inherit his beloved uncle's title. The rigidity of the ton, the incessant reminders from his marriage-minded mama that he must settle down with a highborn lady and produce an heir and a spare: it's all such a dreadful bore. So when his mother asks him to take part in a dancing competition, he patently refuses. The last thing he needs is another chore . . . until a beautiful, brilliant, delightfully tempting maid makes him rethink his position.

Most women would be over the moon to be pursued by a wickedly handsome-not to mention wealthy-duke like Norcliffe. But Lucy will not be any man's trophy. She could use a friend, though, and what begins innocently soon ignites into desire. As Lucy tries to resist Harry's scorching kisses, he makes an utterly irresistible offer. Enter the dance contest with him, and win a prize that could change her life forever . . . if falling in love doesn't change it first.

My thoughts:

I do like a bit of drama and forbidden love. And this is a tale of love between classes.

Lucy is a nobody. She works as a seamstress and is an assistant to a dance instructor. But she is well spoken and clearly educated, enigma there. She takes care of her grandmother and she lives in the worst part of London.

Harry is new at being a Duke. Before he came to the title no one cared for him or spoke to him. Now everyone wants their daughters to marry him and he is sick of it.

They meet but they are of different worlds. But he truly wants her. I was never even worried, sometimes they just want a quick tumble and then they accidentally fall in love. While Harry fell for her fast and always wanted her. Not caring for who she was. Like I said, he was sick of those who only wanted him for his title. Lucy just wanted him since he had not be that honest ;)

But like it would be that easy. As if his mother wants Lucy for him. And Lucy knows she can't be with a duke, and she does not want to be a mistress. She is the one fighting the growing love. All while trying to hold down all her jobs and there is also something sinister going on.

Monday, 23 February 2015

Xandra Vardan thought life would be simpler when she accepted the goblin crown and became their queen, but life has only become more complicated. Everyone -- vampires, werewolves and humans -- wants the goblins on their side, because whoever has the goblins -- wins.

Queen Victoria wants her head, Alpha wolf Vex wants her heart, and she still doesn't know the identity of the person who wanted her blood. What she does know is that a project from one of the 'secret' aristocrat labs has gotten free and she's the only one who can stop the perfect killing machine -- a sixteen year-old girl. With human zealots intent on ridding the world of anyone with plagued blood and supernatural politics taking Britain to the verge of civil war, Xandra's finding out that being queen isn't all it's cracked up to be, and if she doesn't do something fast, hers will be the shortest reign in history.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I came to the end and was all "There should be more!" Seriously, there should be more, like at least one more. I know some books go on and on, but I felt like, at least one more would have been good. Sigh.

Mooooooooooore!

Xandra does her best to try to find those behind the evil labs. Humans are angrier than ever, and I loved some of the points in this one. Xandra asked when someone they loved had last been hurt, they were all silent. Damn humans, keep it down.

So that happens, drama, politics and danger.

But hey I still want more, I felt like, ok I got an ending, but then, what happened next. I felt like I wanted to stay longer in this world. I will miss this world. Sad.

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me from the publisher/author for an honest and unbiased opinion)

Italy 1899: Fiery-tempered, seductive medium Alessandra Poverelli levitates a table at a Spiritualist séance in Naples. A reporter photographs the miracle, and wealthy, skeptical, Jewish psychiatrist Camillo Lombardi arrives in Naples to investigate. When she materializes the ghost of his dead mother, he risks his reputation and fortune to finance a tour of the Continent, challenging the scientific and academic elite of Europe to test Alessandra's mysterious powers. She will help him rewrite Science. His fee will help her escape her sadistic husband Pigotti and start a new life in Rome. Newspapers across Europe trumpet her Cinderella story and baffling successes, and the public demands to know - does the "Queen of Spirits" really have supernatural powers? Nigel Huxley is convinced she's simply another vulgar, Italian trickster. The icy, aristocratic detective for England's Society for the Investigation of Mediums launches a plot to trap and expose her. Meanwhile, the Vatican is quietly digging up her childhood secrets, desperate to discredit her supernatural powers; her abusive husband Pigotti is coming to kill her; and the tarot cards predict catastrophe. Inspired by the true-life story of controversial Italian medium Eusapia Palladino (1854-1918), The Witch of Napoli masterfully resurrects the bitter,19th-century battle between Science and religion over the possibility of an afterlife.

Oh, poor Alessandra...all she wants to do is talk to the dead, but people are out to either kill her or try to find that she is a fake. I adore Alessandra and I wish the book was in her POV, but 'tis not. I do like Tomos who is telling the story, but I would have enjoyed it being in Alessandra's POV much more.

GAH! How much proof do you need Nigel? GAH! I wanted to punch him in the face, because he was so pig-headed. Aren't scientists suppose to, well, believe when they see the same proof over and over again? He was an idiot. Lombardi was bad too, but after seeing proof he got better (I still didn't like him still).

It was certainly an adventure, but the middle got a little dry due to lack of action. However, as the ghosties got a little upset, the story got interesting again and made the dry spell totally worth it. The author certainly does a spell of his writing himself...you can fly through 50 pages and not realize you read so many pages so quickly.

There is so much more I want to say, but it will indeed ruin it. The ending was super sad! However, you know it's going to happen, because Tomos tells you its going to happen, but I wanted it to more happy. Sad.

In the end, I totally recommend this to those that like historical fiction mixed in with some supernatural/paranormal happenings that are trying and failing to be debunked by the scientists. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3 stars. :)

Good week, but a week that made me tired. Everyone else at work was sick and I did infect BF, but I was never anything else than really fatigued.

---------------------------------------

A dark-fantastic collection of seventeen short stories, seven poems, and four essays.

My thoughts:

A Preference for Silence

A story about how you should not be alone too long

Boxlunch

A hunt for a condom goes wrong

You know what, I do not remember all the titles.

There was this story about a cook preparing human flesh for alien invaders.

Let's see what else. A story about if men had periods.

See this is why I hate anthologies. I never remember the titles, and the stories are so short, and there are so many so if I do not write it down I forget them at once.

But I do remember they were all funny and strange. The poems so far I have skipped.

Edit later:

Ok the end. And like I have said before, I can't remember titles or stories. I think I skimmed two, I skipped the poems but the rest were fun and macabre.

When it comes to anthologies I have to write down the title and what I thought at once, cos else everything goes into each other.

But, fun!

Kindle Edition, 250 pages
Published (first published 2007)
Sci-fi and other genres
Own

Shadowmagic is a rip roaring fun fantasy adventure novel by John Lenahan very loosely based on Irish mythology where every chapter ends on the edge of a cliff (or at least a high curb.) Join Conor as he grapples with typical teenage problems like, how to deal with a father's high expectations, how to survive in the world on your own and how to woo a beautiful girl - that wants you dead. Shadowmagic a podcast novel for young adults from 12 to 112.

My thoughts:

A podcast that I listened to, it took 2 months (oh me and audio ;) But it worked fine. I could just jump in even if I had not listened to it in a week. So that made it good.

It's about Connor who after someone trying to kill him, finds out that his dad is a prince from Tir na Nog. A land of magic. All those legends are true. And suddenly he is there too, people are trying to kill him, he is lost and what on earth is going on?!

I think the issue I have with pods is that after every chapter I heard the same thing, omg, dull, took so much extra time. But I wanted to know how it turned out so...

Second issue was that Connor had like a dream in every chapter, omg, enough.

But the rest was fun. He met friends. He had adventures. Good conquered evil and I will def listen to book 2.

Friday, 20 February 2015

Most women would not be pleased to be labeled a spinster. But Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes isn’t most women. In fact, Poppy has invented an imaginary fiancé, the Duke of Drummond, to deter unwanted suitors. A very useful fellow, this duke, until the real Drummond turns up and uses Poppy’s ploy to trap her in a betrothal.

A good spy flies below the radar. Which is why being named one of the Prince Regent’s “Impossible Bachelors” is so inconvenient for Nicholas Staunton. Every society female will be out to ensnare him. Nicholas needs a fiancée—and Poppy’s ruse is the answer. How could he have known she’d be a brazen, sensual siren with an irresistible taste for adventure? Now nothing less will do than to convince his fiery Poppy to revoke her spinster status…for good.

My thoughts:

The first 100 pages were the best, those had me giggling. Later on it was also good, just not as funny. It started to take itself too seriously then. I have never really been overly fond of historical spy novels, sure I can enjoy them but they always feel too fake.

Poppy is a spinster and is so old as 21, omg, horrid (and here I just got used to older heroines where that seems more normal.) Anyway, Poppy wants to marry only for true love and she is in love with a Russian prince.

Nicholas is a spy for the crown and gets told to marry Poppy so he sets his course. And falls for her because she is impossible and wants nothing to do with him. I guess he likes a challenge.

They fight the attraction. But that will not work when they want each other. Of course she wants her prince, and Nicholas tries to avoid a certain princess. Btw, I wanted to wring that bitch's neck at the end. NOT COOL! Ugh, I hate women like that.

Oh the spying, yes it's about a painting and Poppy wants to spy too. Honestly I could have done without the spying. But it was not bad.

Home to the Fletcher family for generations, Dare Island is a fishing village rocked by changing times--its traditions slipping away like sands of the North Carolina coast. Single dad and fishing boat captain Matt Fletcher deferred his own dreams to support his innkeeper parents and build a future for his sixteen-year-old son. Matt has learned to weather life's storms by steering a steady emotional course...and keeping a commitment-free approach to love.

Newcomer Allison Carter came to Dare Island to escape the emotional demands of her wealthy family. The young teacher aims to build a life here, to make a lasting place for herself. She doesn't want to be another Woman Who Once Dated Matt Fletcher. It's both tempting and dangerous to believe she can be something more.

Then Matt's brother Luke makes a sudden return home, with a child of his own--and a request that will change all their lives. With a child's welfare at stake, Matt must turn to Allison to teach him to let go of the past, open his eyes...and follow his heart.

My thoughts:

A bit of drama, two people falling in love, and a small town. Concepts I enjoy.

Matt is a fisherman, Allison is the new teacher. She was actually closer to his son's age than him btw ;) Ok that did not matter bit still. Moving on...

She is rich, but trying to find her way. He is a single dad. She teacher's his son's class. He never dates anyone for long.

But we all know they will fall for each other. She is hot, he is hot, it's a small island. She wants meaning in life, he does not know this is what he needs.

The drama is the niece that suddenly shows up, and the tiny tiny tiny should we should we not...and they quickly decided they should so they did.

Thursday, 19 February 2015

Sword dancer Li Feng is used to living life on the edge of the law--a woman alone in the dangerous world of the Tang Dynasty has only her whirlwind reflexes to trust. She will discover the truth about her past, even if that means outwitting the most feared thief-catcher of them all....

Relentless, handsome and determined, Han sees life--and love--as black and white. Until he finally captures the spirited, courageous Li Feng, who makes him question everything he thought he knew about right and wrong. Soon he's faced with an impossible choice: betray the elusive sword dancer he is learning to love, or trust his long-disregarded heart and follow her to dangerous, tempting rebellion....

Do you know what I like most about this book? China. Over a thousand years ago. Romance. I mean what was the last book you read that took place then and there? Mine was, well ok it was another Lin book. But before that, nada. I love that it's new and yes new, different, exciting.

This one is about Lin Feng, who is in a bit of trouble. She was taught the art of the sword, and is an excellent sword dancer. But she has also been in the wrong company.

Han is a thief catcher and he is tracking her. He is awesome at what he does and will find her anywhere.

She tries to run, he goes after her. The more he chases the more he learns about her. But what will happen? He follows the law, she has broken it. It does seem impossible for them to be together. They do have to fight for it (as one of them wants to run.) It's not easy and as the situation got even more complicated I did wonder how it could work out. But as we all know it's a romance so there is a HEA and I was very happy with how it all turned out.

I also saw who the next book is about..intriguing.

If you want a change in your historical romance diet, then do give this one (or any of her books a try). And, if you are happy with what you got then do still try them ;)

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Alice is all grown up. Running the Mad Hatter's Cupcakery and Tea Shoppe is a delicious job, until fate--and a fairy godmother with a weakness for bad boys--throws her a curveball. Now, Alice is the newest resident of Wonderland, where the Mad Hatter fuels her fantasies and thrills her body with his dark touch.

The Mad Hatter may have a voice and a body made for sex, but he takes no lovers. Ever. But a determined fairy godmother has forced Alice into Wonderland--and his arms. Now, as desire and madness converge, the Hatter must decide if he will fight the fairy godmother's mating--or fight for Alice.

My thoughts:

Alice is a young woman obsessed with the mad hatter, and she thinks depp was HOT as him. Do I think so, haha, no. So could I see the mad hatter as hot? Haha, so not hot. Euww.

Did I think the mad hatter was sexy when I did not see him as Depp? Haha, god no. The guy was insane. Not insane in a cool or dark way. No the guy was truly insane and should have been locked away. He is the crazy creepy guy standing in a park talking to his pigeons and shouting things at those who pass by. I did feel the author only wrote about him cos she has a crush on Depp. But hey nothing wrong with that. I just..no. Not even as Sparrow.

The story then. Fairy godmother Danika needs to find true loves for her bad boys. And Hatter is tired of his Alices. He certainly does not want this new one. Lucky for him she likes guys who are insane..insane..INSANE.

A short novella about an insane guy talking in riddles and the woman who really loves him. Throw in some drama at the end and a HEA and the end. I enjoyed it.

A not so classic retelling of Beauty and the Beast, as seen through the eyes of the villain...

Betty Hart has had it with men. Jilted in love, her life now consists of shelving books by day, watching too much Anime by night, and occasionally dressing up like a superhero on the weekends with her fellow ‘Bleeding Heart’ nerds. Men are not welcome and very much unwanted. Especially the sexy Frenchman who saunters into her library reeking of alcohol and looking like he went one too many rounds in the ring.

Gerard Caron is in trouble. Again. Caught with his pants down (literally) he’s forced to seek asylum on Earth while his fairy godmother tries to keep Prince Charming from going all ‘Off with his head’. Maybe, messing around with the King’s daughter hadn’t been such a great idea after all, not that Gerard knew the silly redhead was a princess. But his fairy godmother knows the only way to save his life is to finally pair Gerard with his perfect mate, whether he’s willing or not.

From the moment Gerard lays eyes on the nerdy librarian he knows he must have her, but Betty is unlike any woman he’s ever known. He thought Betty would come as willingly to his bed as every other woman before her, but she is a woman who demands respect and even… horror of all horrors… love. Is it possible for a self-proclaimed Casanova to change his ways?

My thoughts:

First I must say that Gerard deserved a kick in the nuts. What a chauvinistic ass-hole! The first time he meet Betty he pretty much assaults her because obviously every woman in the world wants to do him. As if asshole.

But yes obviously he learns that he is not that awesome, though he had a hard time letting go of it. Especially after a certain incident.

Backing up....Gerard is from Beauty and the Beast. He was totally in love with her, she was a bitch. Yes the story got it wrong. But now he gets magically cured by true love in the end. Just, he so has a sex addiction, true love does not cure it like that.

Long ago there lived a beautiful child. Her name was Violet. Fair of skin, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. Born of wild magic, she was a woman with a child’s heart. Innocent and lovely, but not at all what she seemed--you see Violet went by another name: The Heartsong.

She was the child of fairy magic, the physical manifestation of all fae kinds unbridled power. Cosseted and pampered, she grew up in isolation, never knowing who she really was, or why there were those who’d seek to harm her.

Ewan of the Blackfoot Clan is a wolf with a problem. He’s been sent to kill the Heartsong, but the moment he lays eyes on the blonde beauty he knows he’ll defy the evil fae he works for to claim Violet as his own.

This is the tale of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, as it really happened...

My thoughts:

Red looked young, then 500 years later she still looked young, and all I wondered, how young? Creepy young? I hope not. Do not tell me that, it's creepy.

Wolf was meant to kill Red. But she was his one true love, and then he lost her. I felt like I got to know him, he was you know totally alpha and all mine!! While she, no, she did not really have a personality except for..except for nothing. She was Red and nothing else.

They meet again and goes on their adventure to save this fairy tale land. But this one was the weakest so far, because she had like I said no personality. Still good though.

After having read all 3 of these I do wonder about a few things, like why do we know these tales? Explain please.

Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Treachery and blood magic threaten King Martris Drayke's hold on the throne he risked everything to win. As the battle against a traitor lord comes to its final days, war, plague and betrayal bring Margolan to the brink of destruction. Civil war looms in Isencroft. Finally, in Dark Haven, Lord Jonmarc Vahanian has bargained his soul for vengeance as he leads the vayash moru against a dangerous rogue who would usher in a future drenched in blood.

My thoughts:

I did feel like the whole series fell apart for me in this one. I was not interested at all.

Tris spent most of the time in a tent or well outside the tent. His character lacked depth.

Kiara was somewhat better as she tried to navigate the court and people tried to kill her. But honestly even her character was flat and showed nothing.

Jonmarc actually showed some feelings. He did his best to keep the peace between humans and vamps.

Then there was Cam who spend the entire book in a cell and who cares, and his sister Carina who *yawn* did something.

The book took place during a week, and honestly only book 1 showed any real promise. I think it would have been better if book 2-4 would have been 2 books instead of 3.

The book left me disappointed. And too bad that I have the first of the sequel, sigh.

Paperback, 595 pages
Published February 4th 2010 by Solaris
Chronicles of the Necromancer #4
Fantasy
Own

Vlora is an orphan living at a boarding school as a ward of the state. Even at her young age, she already has enemies: the Bulldog Twins, Baron Fendamere, and her own headmistress. When a strange man offers to buy her, Vlora runs away and takes to the roofs above the gunsmithies of Hrusch Avenue. It is there that she meets a boy named Taniel and begins a friendship that will change her life forever.

My thoughts:

This is the story of how Vlora met Taniel.

I am so bad with reviewing short stories, cos they are short!

Vlora has courage, she wants more. She meets Taniel, and that meeting puts her in the right direction.

I like these shorts, even if I do not have a lot to say at the end. I also think it might even work as a stand alone. But hey do read the series! This is just one of the prequels ;)

ebook, 29 pages
Published June 28th 2013
Fantasy
Own

Taniel is a powder mage; a flintlock marksman with the ability to imbibe common black powder to strengthen his mind, body, and senses, as well as shoot over long distances. Sent into short-term exile by his father, he's supposed to see some of the world and cool his head, to learn something besides life in the Adran army. His arrival in exile, however, coincides with the eruption of a bloody new conflict as the colony of Fatrasta rises up against its Kez suppressers. Taniel has certain talents that the Fatrastan militia could very well use, and he just can't help but get involved...

My thoughts:

It's the story how Taniel met Ka Poel.

Ok so this is a short story, so not a lot will happen. A war is coming, he wants to fight. There is danger, there is Ka Poel. The end.

Monday, 16 February 2015

Found guilty of a crime he didn’t commit in 1986, 15-year-old Finn Gramaraye was exiled to the Other Realm for 25 years. But now he’s back in the mortal world and is disappointed to discover that he’s middle-aged, DeLoreans can’t fly, and he’s been framed for dark necromancy, again. He has three days to clear his name, but his father has gone mad, his mother’s a ghost, and his brother is most unhappy to see him - who can he trust to help him?

Poor Finn, at 15 he was exiled for 25 years. 25 years of being nothing and getting sucked dry of memories by the Fey. 25 years for a murder he did not commit.

But now he is back. Something went wrong and he has no idea how the world has changed. He still wonders who framed him and now someone is after him.

This was a urban fantasy that felt..dunno, just different. In a good way. Finn comes home to his strange necromancy family. His sister without powers, his brother who thinks he is a were (though there are weres). His other brother who has taken over and does not seem happy to see Finn back. Yuo, that family had issues.

Poor Finn, the world certainly did change in 25 years and he is so clueless. But I liked him, sure he is clueless but he does well adjusting. He really does not have a choice since things go boom at once he is back.

I liked his family too, strange as they were. The whole mystery of who framed him was well done, I sure did not figure it out, but then I never do.

Conclusion:

The world was interesting. Normal people do not know that there is magic (we never do ;). And I'd like to explore the world more.

Jason Wyton is a young, high-class soldier, fighting for Alya in the Great War of Valanor. With enough combat experience to retire after his next deployment, his superiors, a 3-star Commander and a mysterious mercenary, plot to get around Alya's laws and keep Jason fighting, permanently.

After the strange disappearance of the prototype Horizon Rifle, Jason finds himself and a couple colleagues framed for treason. He flees, suspecting his two former leaders are behind it all. The Divisionists, Alya's prime enemy for decades, fight using supernatural powers rather than technology, and don't trust Jason thanks to his relationship with the mercenary.

Jason's mentor, Brace, gives him a choice: to hide and retire until the war ends, or to fight against those who have wronged him.

What an interesting book with such an interesting world! I was totally drawn into the world from page one. I wish there was more world building at the beginning, so I could understand what was happening more, but I could totally be biased, because I did like the world and I wanted to understand more about what was happening.

I loved the whole technology vs supernatural powers (elemental); it was cool. The two worlds are completely different, but they share some similarities as well. Honestly, I think I would want to be in the elemental world myself. They each have super major flaws and issues of their own like Scarletta's being enslaved by a fellow elemental. That guy had some issues and he deserved a punch in the face! A good side bad guy. I liked Scarletta....I felt bad for her tho. :/

Poor Jason. A good warrior and a decent guy. All he wanted to do was retire and be done with war. Even tho he sometimes wouldn't admit it too himself that he was over the whole thing...warrior mentality you know...they have mixed feelings about retiring.

Why was everyone so young in this world? Geezer and Brace were considered super old and they were in their 30s and 40s! Was it because of the war that everyone died young, so they had to reproduce young? Perhaps. I couldn't help but chuckle when an "old" person came into the picture and Jason and everyone was like "He's/She's sooooo old!" I thought it was funny and a nice twist to the story!

Now the ending was good! It left me wanting more, but it wasn't overly cliff-hanger-ish, so I was happy. It doesn't make you feel bad to not continue, but it leaves you wanting to continue. Awesome.

There was one point where there was a possession of one of the characters. That said character attacked the group and tried to kill the group. They managed to restrain them without killing the character. They met up with Geezer and asked what happened. He said that said character must have been possessed by some animal. It wasn't ever really solved on how and why and by whom. It happened and then they never really talked about it again. I really wanted to know who, why, and how! Unless I missed it? IDK.

This would make an amazing TV show or movie! I honestly would vote for a TV show, because I don't want anything left out! I loved the group of people on the adventure! They were well written out with awesome personalities. The all seemed nicely formed and 3D. At first I was worried about Josh and Jacquie...because they did seem 2D at first, but as the story went on their characters became more complete.

BTW - I love the title and the cover.

In the end, I totally recommend this for those that like fantasy/sci-fi books. This was a cool world with a cool concept and interesting characters. If there is a second book, I would totally read it! Out of five stars, I stamp this with 4 stars.

So zumba at home was a bust, maybe I will try it again one day, or not.

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Bewitched meets Murder She Wrote in this delightful new cozy mystery series featuring Ophelia Jensen, small town librarian and reluctant psychic, and her grandmother Abby, a benevolent witch.

Thirty something Ophelia Jensen wants to live a quiet life as a small town librarian. She's created a comfortable existence with her kooky, colorful grandmother Abby, and if it were up to her, they could live out their days—along with Ophelia's dog Lady and cat Queenie—in peace and quiet. But, to Ophelia's dismay, she and Abby aren't a typical grandmother/granddaughter duo. She possesses psychic powers, and Abby is a kindly witch. And while Ophelia would do anything to dismiss her gift—harboring terrible guilt after her best friend was killed and she was unable to stop it—threatening events keep popping up, forcing her to tap into her powers of intuition. To make matters worse, a strange—yet devastatingly attractive—man is hanging around Ophelia's library, and no matter how many times she tells him she's sworn off men forever, he persists. Soon this handsome newcomer reveals he's following a lead on a local drug ring, and then a dead body shows up right in Abby's backyard. And much as Ophelia would like to put away her spells forever, she and Abby must use their special powers to keep themselves, and others, out of harm's way.

My thoughts:

See, I finally did read another cozy mystery ;)

Ophelia is a librarian. She has a haunted past. The townsfolk like her, but avoid her. Her grandmother is a witch, but only Ophelia knows this. Her only friend is a woman working at the library, and they are not even friends in a way.

Yeah, Ophelia really pushed people away. But then a mysterious hot guy shows up. And there are strange things happening in town. And then there is that dead body, and her grandmother telling her that she must solve this.

It was a light mystery that I could read fast. Ophelia was nice when you got to know her. There is a hint of romance. But the next book I have is book 6 and it was not that awesome that I will buy the rest. I will just read that sixth book one day...maybe. Because in the end it was just ok.

Friday, 13 February 2015

Skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue... and, of course, kissing.

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she'll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince's proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince's proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

Third Daughter is the first book in the The Dharian Affairs Trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance that takes place in an east-Indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue. And, of course, kissing.

My thoughts:

First, where are my saber duels? You promised me duels.

Moving on. Everyone was so ohhh bollypunk! While I was all there could be more. Just cos you show us Indian clothes on the cover. Have Indian names and mention a few things does not India make. This could have been any fake fantasy land. I never saw a lot of steampunk in this world. It was more a fantasy book with a skyship with a few Indian flavors. I think I would like to see what someone that actually is from India thinks. That would be interesting. I just wanted more. More India, and def more steampunk. A few gadgets does not steampunk make.

But it was a good story, even if it felt totally fantasy in a fantasy land.

Aniri must marry a neighboring prince. They are barbarians and she is all euww. She goes there to spy cos they have an airship. And she is all I miss my lover! She is 17. But she matures and gets a brain...was this YA? Honestly it did not feel like YA. Dunno what makes a book feel YA. Just cos someone is young does not make it YA and this never felt YA. I only realised it when I read reviews.

Even if I wanted more meat on its bones I enjoyed it and would read more if I had more.

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Eighteen year old Myla Lewis is a girl who loves two things: kicking ass and kicking ass. She’s not your every day quasi-demon, half-demon and half-human, girl. For the past five years, Myla has lived for the days she gets to fight in Purgatory’s arena. When souls want a trial by combat for their right to enter heaven or hell, they go up against her, and she hasn’t lost a battle yet.

But as she starts her senior year at Purgatory High, the arena fights aren’t enough to keep her spirits up anymore. When the demons start to act weird, even for demons, and the King of the Demons, Armageddon, shows up at Myla’s school, she knows that things are changing and it’s not looking good for the quasi-demons. Myla starts to question everything, and doesn’t like the answers she finds. What happened seventeen years ago that turned the quasi-demons into slave labor? Why was her mom always so sad? And why won’t anyone tell her who her father is? Things heat up when Myla meets Lincoln, the High Prince of the Thrax, a super sexy half-human and half-angel demon hunter. But what’s a quasi-demon girl to do when she falls for a demon hunter? It’s a good thing that Myla’s not afraid of breaking a few rules. With a love worth fighting for, Myla’s going to shake up Purgatory.

My thoughts:

I did enjoy this one (even if it had plot holes.)

Myla is just like any other teenager. She has her bestie, boy trouble, school sucks, and she fights to the death in the arena. Ok so there is the difference. She is also part demon and lives in Purgatory. Her mum is always sad, her dad is a ? and she meets this hot boy that thinks all demons should die.

I did feel she was too much of a teen at times. It was like the author tried to show us that she is just like us. But the thing is, she is not. She could never be. So the over the top I am a teen could have been toned down. Also Purgatory sure looks a lot like the US.

Also, why does she fight in the arena? Why does no one talk about what happened 18 years ago? Please, people would so talk. It's like the world is made up of two generations, 18 and 40. Why did the angels not step in 18 years ago? Why are there stupid games? If Myla lost against a bad soul then that soul goes to heaven, even if it was Hitler. That makes no sense. That could have been planned better.

Still, even with those things I really enjoyed it. The world was interesting, I wanted to know who her dad was and how it all would turn out. I enjoyed it...

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Shades of Milk and Honey is an intimate portrait of Jane Ellsworth, a woman ahead of her time in a world where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality. But despite the prevalence of magic in everyday life, other aspects of Dorchester’s society are not that different: Jane and her sister Melody’s lives still revolve around vying for the attentions of eligible men.

Jane resists this fate, and rightly so: while her skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face, and therefore wins the lion’s share of the attention. At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Jane has resigned herself to being invisible forever. But when her family’s honor is threatened, she finds that she must push her skills to the limit in order to set things right--and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.

My thoughts;

Ok so here I go, it was good, but I expected more. Dang you expectations! *shakes fist* I could, I would have enjoyed it more if I had not constantly thought, it could be better...

Which is wrong to think cos it was a perfectly enjoyable book. Jane and her horrible sister Melody (I hated her, she was a sulking bitch) want to find men. But Jane is plain, Melody is pretty. And tadaa there are new neighbors, eligible men.

So yes this is written in the Austen way. It's not a re-telling since all her books are thrown in in a way.

I did have some issues though with the world building. Had there always been "magic"? Does other countries have magic? Is there only glamour and illusions? Why not other things? Why do only bored women who want to catch a man use it? I did want more answers about this part. I think the book would have been fine without it now when it was just a plothole.

Conclusion:

But, life goes on. There will be hearts broken, hearts mended. Drama and a ball. I did enjoy the book. I guess it was just a bit more ordinary than I would have expected.

Tuesday, 10 February 2015

When her mate’s ex-wife storms back into their lives, Mercy knows something isn’t right. Christy has the furthest thing from good intentions—she wants Adam back, and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get him, including turning the pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. As the bodies start piling up, she must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

The book was definitely better than book 6 and 7. But still not up to par with earlier books...just almost. Slowly getting there you know. So close.

The ex drama in this one, omg, I hate stupid bitches. Arghh, I wanna kick Christie. What is her problem!? You left him. Mercy is chill (even if stressed out of her mind). I would totally just have left cos that is more drama than one woman needs. Christie, Adam's ex wife shows up after her loved started stalking her and she tries to get everyone to turn against Mercy. It was stressful even to read about. Christie has never been a fav (how could she) but I truly hate her now.

So the bad guy in this one is the guy who is stalking Christie (I would totally have kicked her out and let him have her, damn she was mean.) He was insane, in a good way. Just out of his mind, raging, and wanting to tear the world apart. I also liked who he was...

And now I have to wait a year for book 9! BUT, since I am not gonna buy hardback (do you KNOW how many paperbacks that is?!) I have to wait 2 years since I want it in print. God damn me.

Conclusion:

I started reading this one morning and finished it a few hours later ;)

Monday, 9 February 2015

When the British Empire sets its sights on India in the 1850s, it expects a quick and easy conquest. After all, India is not even a country, but a collection of kingdoms on the subcontinent. But when the British arrive in the Kingdom of Jhansi, expecting its queen to forfeit her crown, they are met with a surprise. Instead of surrendering, Queen Lakshmi raises two armies—one male, one female—and rides into battle like Joan of Arc. Although her soldiers are little match against superior British weaponry and training, Lakshmi fights against an empire determined to take away the land she loves.

Told from the perspective of Sita, one of the guards in Lakshmi's all-female army and the queen’s most trusted warrior, The Last Queen of India traces the astonishing tale of a fearless ruler making her way in a world dominated by men. In the tradition of her bestselling novel Nefertiti, which Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, called “a heroic story with a very human heart,” Michelle Moran once again brings a time and place rarely explored in historical fiction to rich, vibrant life.

Hardcover, 368 pages

Expected publication: March 3rd 2015 by Touchstone

I have liked all of Moran's books so far and I am really looking forward to this one. I can't wait! And today I get to host a giveaway and share the book with you all :)

Giveaway

1 copy of Rebel Queen + bangle

Michelle brought the bangles back from India, so there are a lot of different colored ones. But you get the general idea what one will look like :)